{ Treb"u*chet (?), Tre"buck*et (?), } n. [OF. trebuchet, trebukiet, an engine of war for hurling stones, F. trébuchet a gin, trap, a kind of balance, fr. OF. trebuchier, trebuquier, to stumble, trip, F. trébucher.] 1. A cucking stool; a tumbrel. Cowell.

2. A military engine used in the Middle Ages for throwing stones, etc. It acted by means of a great weight fastened to the short arm of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end of the long arm with great velocity, hurling stones with much force.

3. A kind of balance for weighing. [Obs.]

{ Treb"u*chet (?), Tre"buck*et (?), } n. [OF. trebuchet, trebukiet, an engine of war for hurling stones, F. trébuchet a gin, trap, a kind of balance, fr. OF. trebuchier, trebuquier, to stumble, trip, F. trébucher.] 1. A cucking stool; a tumbrel. Cowell.

2. A military engine used in the Middle Ages for throwing stones, etc. It acted by means of a great weight fastened to the short arm of a lever, which, being let fall, raised the end of the long arm with great velocity, hurling stones with much force.

3. A kind of balance for weighing. [Obs.]

• A medieval siege engine consisting of a large pivoting arm heavily weighted on one end. Considered to be the technological successor to the catapult.